David’s Reputation
Opening Prayer
Thank You, Abba Father, that before I even thought of choosing You, You chose me (John 15:16).
Read 1 Samuel 29:1–11
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. 2 As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. 3 The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”
Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.”
4 But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master’s favor than by taking the heads of our own men? 5 Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances:
“‘Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands’?”
6 So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don’t approve of you. 7 Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.”
8 “But what have I done?” asked David. “What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can’t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
9 Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ 10 Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.”
11 So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Has there ever been a time when you have not been chosen for the job or the team, yet people speak highly of you?As the crucial battle between the Philistines and the Israelites is about to start, David is “behind enemy lines.” He is with the Philistines but not on their side. His reputation is faultless, but the leaders are not willing to have him with them (6,7). David didn’t know why. Was this the Lord protecting David for his future role as king? Sometimes we don’t understand why things happen as they do until later we discover that God has been at work. David was not chosen by men, though they had found no fault in him (3), but he had been chosen by the Lord.
Many years later, Pilate found no fault in Jesus (John 19:4), yet Jesus was led out to be crucified. This was all part of God’s eternal plan for our salvation. The Lord had chosen us before the foundation of the world (cf. Eph. 1:4,11). God was working everything out in conformity with the purpose of his will. David was worthy but not chosen; we are not worthy but God has chosen us.
Apply
Think of a person whom you could tell the Good News that God has chosen him or her. Do it today whether in person, in a note or a call.
Closing prayer
Thank You, Lord, that, though we are not worthy of Your love because we have sinned, You have chosen us (Rom. 8:16).
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